ECCE 2026 — 15 free hours of preschool per week for every child from age 2 to school entry
ECCE Free Preschool Ireland 2026
Every child in Ireland is entitled to two free years of preschool through the ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) programme. From the September after your child's second birthday until they start primary school, you get 15 hours per week of preschool at no cost. The government pays the childcare provider directly — no means test, no application, no charge.
ECCE Free Preschool — At a glance
- Free hours
- 15 hours/week
- Duration
- ~38 weeks/year (Sept–June), up to 2 years
- Eligible from
- September after child's 2nd birthday
- Cost to parent
- Free — no means test
- Disability support
- AIM — extra staff, equipment, therapist support
- How to enrol
- Contact local registered childcare provider directly
When your child can start ECCE
The ECCE programme runs in annual intakes each September. Your child can start in the September after they turn 2 years old — but only if they will be at least 2 years and 8 months old on 1 September of that year.
| Child's date of birth | Earliest ECCE start | ECCE years available |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022 | September 2024 | 2 years (Sept 2024 – June 2026) |
| 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023 | September 2025 | 2 years (Sept 2025 – June 2027) |
| 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024 | September 2026 | Up to 2 years |
| 1 January 2025 – 31 August 2025 | September 2027 | Up to 2 years |
Children leave ECCE when they start primary school, so if your child starts school after one ECCE year, they will not access the second year.
What the ECCE hours cover — and what they do not
| Item | Covered by ECCE? |
|---|---|
| 15 hours/week of preschool education | Yes — free |
| Meals (lunch, snacks) | No — usually charged separately by provider |
| Additional hours beyond 15/week | No — charged by provider at their own rate |
| Nappies, formula, specialist equipment | No |
| AIM supports for children with disabilities | Yes — free additional support |
| NCS subsidy on additional hours | Possibly — depends on family income |
How much families save with ECCE
Private childcare in Ireland costs on average €8–€12 per hour depending on location and provider. The 15 free ECCE hours per week represent significant annual savings:
Annual saving from ECCE (15 hours/week × 38 weeks)
| Childcare rate/hour | Weekly saving | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|
| €8/hour | €120 | €4,560 |
| €10/hour | €150 | €5,700 |
| €12/hour | €180 | €6,840 |
Actual saving depends on the childcare rate in your area. Urban areas (Dublin, Cork, Galway) tend toward the higher end.
AIM — support for children with disabilities or additional needs
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) ensures that children with disabilities or additional needs can fully participate in the ECCE preschool programme. AIM provides:
- Additional key-worker hours in the setting (Level 7 AIM support)
- Specialist equipment or minor environmental adaptations
- Therapist (speech and language, occupational therapy) consultation with staff
- Mentoring for the childcare setting from Better Start specialists
- Training for childcare staff on the child's specific needs
AIM is applied for through your childcare provider — the provider completes the application with your input. You do not apply directly. Better Start National Early Years Service assesses and delivers the supports. There is no cost to families.
ECCE alongside the National Childcare Scheme
ECCE and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) work alongside each other. ECCE covers 15 free hours per week. If your child attends for more hours (for example, 45 hours/week due to working parents), the NCS may subsidise those additional 30 hours — either through the universal subsidy of €2.14/hour for all children under 15, or through a higher income-based subsidy if your family qualifies.
You can benefit from both ECCE and NCS at the same time, on the same childcare place, reducing your total childcare cost significantly.
How to find a place and enrol
- Find registered providers in your area
Use the MyChildcare.ie national register to find Tusla-registered childcare providers near you that offer ECCE. Your local City or County Childcare Committee can also help.
- Contact providers early
ECCE places can fill quickly, especially in cities. Contact providers in spring for the following September intake. Ask if they have ECCE places and whether they charge for meals or additional hours.
- Complete enrolment with the provider
Enrol directly with the childcare provider. There is no central government application for ECCE — the provider registers the child and claims the ECCE funding from DCEDIY on your behalf.
- Apply for NCS if you need additional hours
If you need more than 15 hours per week, apply for the NCS subsidy through ncs.gov.ie. Complete the NCS application online using your PPSN.
Frequently asked questions
Can immigrants access the ECCE free preschool in Ireland?
Yes. ECCE is available to all children ordinarily resident in Ireland regardless of the parents' nationality or immigration status. Your child needs a PPS number. EU/EEA citizens, people on stamp 1G or stamp 4, refugees, and other lawful residents can all access ECCE. Contact your local City or County Childcare Committee if you need help navigating the process.
What is the ECCE capitation rate paid to providers?
The government pays childcare providers a capitation rate per child per week for delivering the ECCE programme. The rate varies by the qualification level of the staff. Higher-qualified staff attract a higher rate. For 2026, providers with graduate-led rooms receive a higher capitation. This rate goes directly to the provider — it does not pass through parents' hands.
What if there are no ECCE places available near me?
ECCE places are in demand in many areas. If you cannot find a place, contact your local City or County Childcare Committee — they maintain up-to-date lists of vacancies. In some cases, a place may be available slightly further from home. The HSE and DCEDIY also work to increase capacity in areas where demand exceeds supply.
Does ECCE affect Child Benefit or other payments?
No. Accessing ECCE does not affect Child Benefit (€140/month) or any other social welfare payment you receive. The two are entirely separate entitlements.
Can a childminder provide ECCE?
Yes — some registered childminders are approved to deliver ECCE, particularly through Childminding Ireland's quality programme. The childminder must be Tusla-registered and approved by DCEDIY. Check with your local County Childcare Committee for approved childminders in your area.
- ECCE is not means-tested — every child qualifies regardless of family income or immigration background.
- The 15 free hours cover preschool time only — meals, nappies, and additional hours are not included and may be charged by the provider.
- ECCE and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) are different — ECCE covers 15 free hours; NCS subsidises additional hours. Both can apply simultaneously.
- There is no central government application — you enrol directly with a registered childcare provider; they handle the ECCE registration.
- Children do not need to be toilet-trained to start ECCE in most settings — check with your specific provider.
Related guides
This page was reviewed against official DCEDIY and Citizens Information guidance and updated to reflect 2026 ECCE programme conditions, AIM supports, and NCS interaction.